Dori Lagoon Resort (formerly Dori Bungalow) is on Ra Island. It's owned and run by Francis and Charlotte McKenzie. They have previous experience from other bungalows and work hard to make their own business a success. Expect to be well looked after.

Francis is always ready to paddle you across the lagoon between Ra and Mota Lava in his canoe and take you on guided walks. A capable organiser, he can take you anywhere on Ra, Mota Lava and even to Vanua Lava.

Costs and Booking
Dori Lagoon Resort costs 1900 Vatu per person per night, with meals. Exchange Rates.

To contact Francis you can call 38599 (Georgeline's phone, Mota Lava, best to call in the morning). Failing that, try a public phone on Mota Lava, 38502. Francis was away, working in New Zealand, in early 2009 and Georgeline was on Vanua Lava.

Accommodation and Food
Dori has one bungalow, divided into two rooms. One room has a double bed and the other has two single beds. Mosquito nets are provided and the outside door is lockable. Kerosene and coconut oil lamps are used for lighting.

In October 2005 a second bungalow was nearing completion (two more rooms, one double, one single).

A new pit toilet was ready in October 2005 and a new haos blong swim (bucket showers). Toilet paper and bath towels are provided.

The food at Dori Lagoon Resort is often too good and too much! Lunch or dinner may include chicken or fish with rice and aelan kaekae (lap-lap, breadfruit, pumpkin, cooked banana, watermelon, paw-paw). Breakfasts can include banana chips, yam, toast, egg, paw-paw and pamplemousse. Rainwater is supplied for drinking. Francis and Charlotte are Seventh Day Adventists and it's best if you bring your own tea or coffee.

First surveyed: May 2004 by Stephen.
Last updated: July 2009 by Stephen.

Visitor Ratings for Dori Lagoon Resort Rate it

Date	Ratings	Comments
12/03/2010	Standard Location Value	My wife and I have just returned from Rah, Mota lava. We have lived in Port Vila, Vanuatu for four years and this was our first trip to the Bank's islands. The people of Rah island are the most genuine, caring and hospitable people we have ever met. We stayed at Dori Lagoon bungalows and would recommend it anyone who wants to experience the "real Vanuatu." During our stay, the bungalows were being run by the owners daughter Ruthy, her husband Cecil and Ruthy's cousin Elsy. During our stay they took fantastic care of us and truly made us feel like a part of their family. Ask Elsy to take you to the Women's Rock, an ancient toppled Volcano in the centre of Rah island with amazing views and custom stories from centuries past. Ask Cecil to take you spear fishing with his brother Joshua, or to organize a boat trip to the Reef Islands. Take your own fishing gear, heavy hand reals with surface lures will land you Dogtooth Tuna, Yellowfin, Mahi Mahi and other pelagic fish. Make sure you hit the kava bar.
14/06/2008	Standard Location Value	Francis was not at home, but Charlotte and her daughters provided the most wonderful service, great cooking and assistance as we were on a mission to locate family. The toilet has been upgraded to a real one, though a bucket flush. That was good. Although shorts, long pants are OK in the area near the bungalow, adolescent females and older should wear sarongs or long skirts when visiting the village. This applies on Mota Lava also. Visitors should take soft sports bag/back pack luggage as these are easier to transport on canoe and plane, and older clothes, material off cuts, sewing gear that may be left for distribution by womens group. Simple solar lighting and pillar candles that last longer than the local 'store' variety can be left for the use of villagers after visitors depart.
29/05/2008	Standard Location Value	My fiancé and I have just returned from tiny Ra Island off Mota Lava. We stayed with Francis and Charlotte and had a fantastic time. I’ve travelled extensively through the Pacific and Asia focusing on untouched places which there are many but generally come with uncomfortable living conditions. Francis and Charlotte are great hosts. Every meal was sensational and even after two weeks we still looked forward to each one eagerly. Francis is a great guide and a well known and respected man around the islands. We were the only tourists staying on Ra Island and the first ones for 2 months. If you’re looking for a holiday where you will most likely be the only ones there with beautiful scenery, smoking volcanoes, great snorkelling, fishing, people and food with unbelievable affordability this is the place.
22/03/2008	Standard Location Value	What a wonderful place to visit! Francis, Charlotte and their family are the most amazing hosts. We were booked in to stay for one week but once we were there we didn't want to leave, so with Francis' help we managed to extend our stay 4 extra nights. If you are an active person there are plenty of things to keep you busy - fishing, snorkeling, swimming, hiking. Or if you prefer to spend your holiday relaxing it was far to easy spent hours laying in the hammock reading your book, listening to the local children laughing and playing. Charlotte's cooking was always superb and her daughters do a great job helping her. Francis was also available to organise anything we wished to do. The bungalows are great and very comfortable. I can't compliment Francis and Charlotte enough, we will never forget ...
22/10/2007	Standard Location Value	We had a fantastic time staying a week with Francis and Charlotte. This place is a "must visit" if you are heading to the Banks Islands, it was the highlight of our Vanuatu trip. Francis organised several fishing trips for us (we took our own trolling and casting gear, and caught dogtooth, yellowfin, and heaps of skippies). There was plenty to do (hiking, village visits, fishing, learning to paddle an outrigger canoe and good snorkeling (guided by Francis's Nephew). Spending time talking with members of the extended family, learning about life in the outer islands was interesting and very enjoyable. Two of the highlights of our stay were a visit to the gorgeous reef islands and Charlottes cooking which was absolutely fantastic. She should be listed in the Michelin Guide, five stars!!
24/06/2007	Standard Location Value	This is an awesome place for a holiday. The view from the womens rock is amazing, the story behind this rock is very funny but holds true customary insight and value. This place is a step back in time and other islands are easily accessible.
27/12/2006	Standard Location Value